A Quick Guide to Outdoor Speaker Installations

Enjoy Indiana’s Great Outdoors with Top-Quality Audio

During these summer months, it’s best to make the most of Decatur’s warm weather. But if you need a bit of extra incentive to take your normal routine outside, consider upgrading your patio or backyard with outdoor speakers. A professional outdoor audio video setup will make it easy to enjoy your favorite entertainment while soaking up some vitamin D. Below, we’ve put together a brief guide to everything you need to know in order to get started with outdoor audio.

Speaker Features to Consider

If you’re thinking about picking out some generic speakers off Amazon and calling it a day, then hold that thought. Outdoor speakers require a specific design you don’t typically find in standard indoor speakers.

The main difference is weather resistance. Speakers designed for outdoor use have to be sealed completely against water, wind, and dirt. They also have to be able to withstand extreme temperatures so they can perform in 80-degree or 8-degree weather.

You can also find speakers that look just like rocks or can blend in with surrounding foliage. These speaker casings can be beneficial if you don’t want your yard’s aesthetic compromised by devices that seem out of place.

Brand Recommendations

So which speaker brands meet the feature requirements we listed above? There are several good options. We’re fans of Origin Acoustics’ speaker lines, which come in lots of different styles and designs. Their speakers are well known for their superior sound quality and durability.

Another option worth considering is Paradigm. Their Garden Oasis speaker line offers incredible sound in a rugged, weatherproof casing. The speaker lineup is scalable, so it will work for small or large backyards. And best of all, you can take advantage of Paradigm’s Trade-Up event, which is running through August 31st. You can trade in any old speakers of any brand to receive 20% off a Paradigm Stylus, Rock Monitor, or Garden Oasis package.

Ideal Placement

Once you know which speakers you want, the next step is to install them. Finding the right place to install the speakers can be tricky because there are so many different variables at play. The size, shape, and layout of your outdoor spaces can all impact the final design. You also have to consider the location of topiaries, pathways, pools or water features, outdoor televisions, and more.

The first question you need to ask yourself is how you’ll likely be using the outdoor speakers. Will you want them to do double duty as both background music and surround sound for an outdoor theater setup? Will you likely just want the speakers in the patio area or spread out across the entire backyard for entertaining during parties? The answer to those questions will be a deciding factor in the setup.

DIY vs. Professional

Because of all these variables, our recommendation if you want top-quality outdoor entertainment is to bring in an audio professional to do the speaker design and installation. During a professional installation, we assess your outdoor space and develop a system that creates the best sound for whatever activities and media you want.

Another feature you get with a professional installation that isn’t easily achieved through DIY is streamlined control. With a DIY system, it can be really difficult to manage all the outdoor equipment, adjust the volume, change the playlist, etc. We set up our outdoor speaker installations with smart technology that allows you to manage everything easily from your smartphone or tablet. So if you want to turn down the music in order to make a toast or swap from playing music to streaming a movie on the outdoor TV, all you have to do is pull out your phone!

If you’d like to learn more about taking advantage of Paradigm’s Trade-Up event or the options for adding outdoor speakers to your Indiana area property, we’re one phone call away. Reach us at (260) 724-2276 or click the Live Chat window at the bottom of the screen to speak with one of our representatives immediately.